State's largest slot tourney Nov. 10 honors vets

Seminole Coconut Creek’s massive slot tournament in January was a record for Florida.

This time, “Florida’s Largest Slot Tournament” is inviting players to vie for the $25,000 first prize and $80,000 in prize money starting at 9 a.m. on Nov. 10. (Registration begins at 7 a.m., and last year there was a line.) They’re also honoring veterans.

While representatives from groups such as the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Marine Corps League and the Naval Air Museum will be guests of the casino, six American icons from South Florida will also be on hand for a “Meet & Greet” session during registration: Dave Epstein (Navy), Fred Gilbert (Army), Don Hennessy (Marines), Ed Hammond (Navy), Bob Kosko (Navy) and Herb Dareff (Army).

To further support the Veteran’s Day theme, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek will also have a cake-cutting ceremony following the tournament at 10:30 a.m. at CenterStage, honoring the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday.

And, on Monday veterans will get 50 percent off at Fresh Harvest Buffet for lunch and/or dinner. They must show a military ID for the discount.

The first tournament in January drew two shifts of players for a total of 1,941. (The casino keeps about half of its 2,300 machines open for patrons who prefer not to play in the tournament.) The world record was set in 2011 at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in California, which attracted 2,885 players.